how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

[strokeoluck]

Stupid question, right?! Yesterday was our first full day on the water (we're new boaters, details below), and we had a blast. We went with some boating veteran friends - they had their own boat on the water - so we had anywhere from 4-7 people in our boat at various times. We were out on the water for about 2 1/2 hours, and spent an hour at a beach (had the boat anchored in shallow, calm water). For much of our time on the water we were towing kids on tubes.

At the end of the day as we pulled the boat out of the water, my friend was strapping down one side of the boat while I did the other. Then I reached over and started to unscrew the drain plug. He said "you remove the drain plug???" (we both store our boats in our garages). Just as I said "yeah, just to be safe" the plug came out and we were both surprised at how much water came out. I'm guessing it was a gallon or more.

I have absolutely no clue how that much water got in the boat. I checked the boat out thoroughly on the spot and couldn't find anything wrong. I checked it out again today when I was cleaning the boat and still couldn't find any glaring holes or "issues". Nothing seemed to go wrong on the water yesterday that would indicate we'd take on that much water. There are four small holes in the front of the bow where the previous owner had his trolling motor mounted - and I've yet to fill those holes. But heck, the kids sitting in the bow hardly got wet from spray/waves so I find it hard to believe we'd take on a gallon of water through those small screw holes.

Thoughts on what might cause this?...or how I check it out? Thanks.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

It's impossible to say. If the hull is sound, then it's time to check ALL of the fittings, and the outdrive system. Put her back in the water, get a good flashlight and go over every bit in the engine and stowage compartments...looking for water infiltration. Could even been a cooling system plug leaking when the engine is running. Otherwise no one could guess at where the water is comming from.


Ian

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

Remember the song under the boardwalk?

Many times water can enter under the rubrail. It is a common spot and a PITA to find where.

Another spot is around the outdrive mounting or through the bellows also tough to find.

Keep an eye on it and measure what you really have coming out next time.

 

[southtexas]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

Another something it could be is actually a simple fix--the plug itself could be bad. Even grains of sand on the rubber plug can cause the seal to fail slightly, allowing water in. Smartest thing to do is start testing the "easy fixes" first and work your way from there.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

You also said you spent time tubing and wading into the boat. Every time someone comes into the boat they bring water with them. It would not take long to add a gallon of water just from swimmers climbing in the boat. Tubes also tend to hold a lot of water when you bring them aboard. It doesn't sound like it was enough to turn the bilge pump on.

Next time out make sure the bilge is dry when you start and check it again before swimming/tubing....

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

You also said you spent time tubing and wading into the boat. Every time someone comes into the boat they bring water with them. It would not take long to add a gallon of water just from swimmers climbing in the boat. Tubes also tend to hold a lot of water when you bring them aboard. It doesn't sound like it was enough to turn the bilge pump on.

Next time out make sure the bilge is dry when you start and check it again before swimming/tubing....

Most of you guys are more experienced boaters than me, so I'll keep an eye on how much water is dragged into the boat. There were certainly five kids going in/out of the boat on a regular basis, as were the tubes. It seems hard to believe that could account for a gallon or more...but maybe? It seemed like most of the water just sort of evaporated via the sun and wind. I do recall that when we anchored by the beach I reached into the center storage area (under the floor) where we keep the anchor and the skiis. It seemed like we had a normal amount of water in that area that I always see (maybe 1/2").

Is the bilge pump supposed to come on automatically? I have a switch on the dash that is for the bilge pump. I assumed that I was supposed to work that manually - no?

 

[rrhodes]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

Both, The bilge should be hard wired to your battery and there is a float switch to turn it on if needed. You also have a switch to manually turn it on in the even the float switch does not work. Kids can drag a lot of water into a boat.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

my switch was not automatic until i installed a float switch just a few weeks ago. and i always have a gallon or two coming out of my boat, but its from us dripping wet in the boat, lifejackets being wet, wet lines, etc. i dont ever think twice about it. ever time i pull the plug, water comes out. heck, even when i check the bilge while we are running, theres always a small amount in there that the pump doesnt pick up.

 

[45Auto]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

You'll easily get SEVERAL gallons of water in the boat after a couple of hours of tubing, wakeboarding, skiing, etc. Every time someone climbs in the boat a cup of water or so drains off their bathing suit, hair, etc.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

If the bilge pump switch is marked MANUAL-OFF-AUTO, then set it to AUTO and it will operate when needed. If the switch is labeled OFF-ON, you need to turn the pump on until its done pumping then turn it off. Don't run it dry.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

I absolutly agree you can pick up lots of water just from jumping in and out of the boat all day.Tubes bring in alot and so do people and splashes.
Probably no big deal.

 

[David Greer]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

I suspect the tubers, too, but also your unplugged screw holes if they are on the hull; if you hit a wave it will force water in them.
You should not have water in your storage compartments "regularly." They should drain into the bilge (unless the bilge is draining into them!)
If you can, leave it in the water overnight, and check it before and after (you won't sleep well!)
To test your plug and other holes, when the boat is dry put the plug in and put some fresh water in the hull, see where it leaks.
And while you're at it, verify your bilge pump system. I suspect yours isn't working if it didn't kick on even when you were headed to the dock.
Locate your float switch. Many times they malfunction or could be blocked. Most have a way to test them manually; mine looksl like a box with a small knob on the base that you turn to lift the float. Some pumps have the switch built-in; I prefer seperate. And if you are re-rigging you might consider having it always on "auto" so that switch won't get thrown by accident. Also consider rigging a second back-up pump, with its float higher than the first so they won't both come on at once.
Getting a little water in is not a problem. It's getting it out that's important.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

I doubt that 1 gallon of water would have been enough to activate the bilge... Depending on where the float/pump is mounted.

 

[David Greer]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

well, it should be mounted as close to the lowest point in the stern, and a gallon should trip it when acclerating and before the plane--a good reason to run for a bit at that angle on occasion.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

Agreed but depending on the style and adjustment as well as the mounting point it may take a little more than a gallon to trip... Hard to tell without pics or details. regardless as long as the bilge pump is functional I don't think you have a leak based on what you are describing...

Just check the bilge before the watersports and swimming begin next time out.

 

[Mark42]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

Drain plugs leak when they get old or dirty. Check it out, clean it up and the drain itself and see how much water you get next time out.

What style drain plug do you have?

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

Agreed but depending on the style and adjustment as well as the mounting point it may take a little more than a gallon to trip... Hard to tell without pics or details. regardless as long as the bilge pump is functional I don't think you have a leak based on what you are describing...

Just check the bilge before the watersports and swimming begin next time out.

Remember, the OP stated he wasn't sure how much water came out when he pulled the plug.
New boater, new boat... a quart could have seemed like a gallon.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

After a day of swimming and tubing its nothing for mine to have 2 or 3 gallons in the bilge...
Half the time i never think to put the pump on auto.
It takes a couple gallons at least for the pump to pick it up.

 

[willieboy]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

Tubes, people in and out will drag a lot of water into the boat. Keep an eye on it, but seriously doubt it is an issue. The bilge pump won't start doing anyting until there is enough to cover the pickup. On mine, that would be a lot closer to ten gallons of water before it might start working. My boat has a dedicated pad in the bilge just for the bilge pump. Heck, the jet ski would probably needs 3-4 gallons before the pump would start working in it.

 

[Nico2112]

Re: how did a gallon of water get in my boat?

Totally agree: tubers, skiers and swimmers get on the boat soaking wet and dripping water galore

IMHO after these activities a couple of gallons of water should not turn on the alarm, just remember to always take the drain plug off everytime you get your boat out of the water

I have an additional issue though, my skii locker has the drain hole a bit too high, so I have to sponge the water out everytime(it's not a lot, but I really dislike doing it)

Happy boating!